I-81 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMSpeakers Bureau

Dave Covington, PEI-81 Program Delivery Director

June 2021

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Program Benefits

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Enhanced SafetyThis program will implement a

series of improvements such as lane and shoulder widening to reduce the rate and frequency of crashes along the corridor.

Reduced CongestionThe program improvements will reduce congestion and improve reliability by adding capacity in targeted areas of the corridor

and improving speed of incident clearance to help limit

travel delays.

Economic DevelopmentI-81 is the main corridor and

key economic artery of western Virginia. These improvements

will ensure that goods and services critical to our economy

move safely and efficiently through and within the region.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program 3

Planning Preliminary Engineering (PE) &

Environmental Evaluation

Design Right of Way &Utility

Coordination

Construction

Project Development Process (Capital Projects)

16 PROJECTS 1 PROJECT 24 PROJECTS

Planning Preliminary Engineering (PE) &

Environmental Evaluation

Design Right of Way &Utility

Coordination

Construction

8 PROJECTS

Completed

8 PROJECTS

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Planned Improvements

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The 325-mile long corridor spans three VDOT districts: Bristol, Salem, and Staunton.Localities along the corridor include: City of Bristol, Washington County, Smyth County, Wythe County, Pulaski County, City of Radford, Montgomery County, City of Salem, Roanoke County, City of Roanoke, Botetourt County, Rockbridge County, City of Lexington, City of Buena Vista, Augusta County, City of Staunton, City of Waynesboro, Rockingham County, City of Harrisonburg, Shenandoah County, Frederick County, and the City of Winchester.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Capital Improvement Projects

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There are currently 56 Capital Improvement projects within the Program. Some of these projects include:

WideningThe addition of a third lane for added capacity and safety. Some projects include the addition of a third lane in both the northbound and southbound directions while some projects include the addition of a third lane in only one direction.

Acceleration/Deceleration Lane ExtensionAllows drivers additional time to make appropriate speed adjustments on the entrance and exit ramps before merging into interstate traffic or encountering sharper curves and stop conditions on exit ramps.

Curve ImprovementInstallation of static and/or flashing chevron signs along specific curves to notify drivers of upcoming sharp or challenging curves where crashes are prevalent.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Capital Improvement Projects

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There are currently 56 Capital Improvement projects within the Program. Some of these projects include:

Truck Climbing LaneAn additional lane added to enable trucks to ascend a steep grade at a lower speed while maintaining regular traffic speeds for passenger vehicles.

Auxiliary LanesAllows drivers additional time to speed up or slow down when merging on or off I-81. Typically constructed between two interchanges, these lanes help enhance safety by reducing traffic “weaving” between I-81 travel lanes and ramps.

Shoulder wideningWider shoulder lanes increase safety for the travelling public during emergencies such as flat tire or breakdown, provide recovery area for errant vehicles, and enhance safety for emergency responders.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Operational Improvements

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The Program also includes a host of Operational Improvements which enhance safety as well as mobility, particularly during emergency events. Examples of operational improvements include:

Changeable Message SignsChangeable, or Digital, message boards help to alert drivers in real time of incidents along the interstate and assist with directing them to alternate routes.

Additional Traffic Cameras (CCTV)The additional traffic cameras assist the Traffic Operations Center during emergency events as well as provide information to travelers via the VA 511 system.

Enhancements to Safety Service PatrolAdditional hours of operations and additional routes help to protect the travelling public during vehicle emergencies, speed up recovery time, and protect incident zones.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Operational Improvements

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The Program also includes a host of Operational Improvements which enhance safety as well as mobility, particularly during emergency events. Examples of operational improvements include:

Detour Route ImprovementsOne of the biggest challenges of the I-81 Corridor is the lack of reliable alternative routes. Low cost, high return investments in signal systems and minor geometric improvements help to efficiently move traffic around incidents on the interstate.

Enhancements to Clearance TimesReducing incident clearance time saves time, money, and enhances reliability along the interstate system. The implementation of a Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP) and lift-and-tow devices help to clear incidents more quickly to keep traffic moving.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Planned Studies With Potential Future Improvements

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The I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan, Section 10, identified three areas for further analysis and potential future improvements based on the outcome of the analyses:

Truck ParkingAppendix I of the I-81 Study Report includes an analysis of truck parking availability along the corridor and identifies deficiencies. The Plan recommends the formation of a task force comprised of representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation, The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, private travel center owners, economic development authorities, trucking associations, and representatives from local and regional governments and planning agencies. The purpose of the task force is to:

• Identify site-specific issues and overcome obstacles to parking development

• Investigate opportunities to fund the expansion of public and private truck parking facilities in targeted locations• Develop a truck parking information system for public rest areas initially and examine opportunities to partner with the

private sector• Implement mobile technology to assist truck drivers with finding available and reserved parking

The Truck Parking Task Force was formed in August 2020 and has begun the work to serve its purpose.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Planned Studies With Potential Future Improvements

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The I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan, Section 10, identified three areas for further analysis and potential future improvements based on the outcome of the analyses:

Speed EnforcementWith specific focus on the northern end of the I-81 Corridor within the Commonwealth, the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan recommends the formation of a task force comprised of members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, Department of State Police, and local law enforcement to determine strategies for enhanced speed enforcement.

Multimodal ImprovementsThe I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan states that the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will work through a cooperative process with the railroad industry, Amtrak, local governments, intercity bus operators, and regional planning bodies to fully develop the capital improvement needs to support impactful multimodal improvements along the I-81 Corridor.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Capital Improvement Project Status – Bristol District

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• 7 projects under design by VDOT staff

• 4 projects under design by on-call consultant

• 2 projects under design by project-specific consultant (procured)

• 1 Design-Build project under design and construction

• 2 Design-Bid-Build project under construction

• 2 projects – Construction Complete

• Of the 18 current SYIP projects in the District, all are currently under design, under construction, or have completed construction

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Capital Improvement Project Status – Salem District

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• 2 projects under design by VDOT staff

• 0 projects under design by on-call consultant

• 1 project under design by project-specific consultant (procured)

• 2 Design-Build projects, bundled under design and construction

• 1 project - Construction Complete

• Of the 6 current SYIP projects in the District, all are currently under design, under construction, or have completed construction

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Capital Improvement Project Status – Staunton District

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• 3 projects under design by VDOT staff

• 1 project under design by on-call consultant

• 4 projects under design by project-specific consultant (procured)

• 0 Design-Build projects

• 3 projects under construction

• 5 projects – Construction Complete

• Of the 16 current SYIP projects in the District, all are currently under design, under construction, or have completed construction

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program 14

Corridor-wide Operational Improvements

• Curve Improvements (static and flashing Chevron signs) - Complete

• Safety Service Patrol Enhancements – Complete

• Lift and Tow - Complete

• Towing and Recovery Incentive Program – Complete

• Traffic Camera Installations – Complete

• Changeable (Digital) Message Signs – Under construction, on schedule, fixed completion date October 28, 2021

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program 15

Corridor-wide Arterial Improvements

Signal upgrades –

• Planning and design underway in concert with coordination with localities for signal system integration into VDOT central signal system.

Parallel Route upgrades –

• Minor geometric improvement projects to facilitate access to and from I-81 during incidents – construction to be completed Summer 2021.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program 16

Corridor-wide Communications

• Video and podcast series:• Published –Troutville Rest Area Project, Safety Service Patrol Expansion, VDOT TOC

and Customer Service Center, Exit 205 Projects• Upcoming Publications –Exit 137 – Exit 141 Design-Build Project, Digital Message

Sign Project• Planned Videos and Podcasts – I-77 Exit 41, Exit 221 to Exit 220 Auxiliary Lane• Newsletter – June 2021 newsletter under development

• Visit www.improve81.org for more information.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

ACTIVITY STATUS ANTICIPATED COMPLETION

Curve improvements (8) Complete Fall 2019

Initial accel/decel lane extensions (8) Complete Fall 2020

Safety Service Patrol Expansion Complete July 2019

Additional Cameras (51) Complete Spring 2020

Additional ChangeableMessage Signs Underway October 2021

Arterial Upgrades Underway Varies by project

Remaining capital projects (32) Underway Varies by project

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Takeaway Scorecard

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Advisory Committee

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An I-81 Advisory Committee was established to provide advice and recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) regarding the development of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan.

The committee is scheduled to meet a minimum of two times each year at rotating planning district locations along the corridor and report to the Governor and General Assembly each December. The committee has 15 voting members: seven Virginia lawmakers, three CTB members representing the Bristol, Salem and Staunton districts, and the five chairs of the planning district commissions. VDOT’s Commissioner and DRPT’s Director will serve on the committee ex officio in non-voting capacities.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Advisory Committee Members

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Voting Members• Chair - Delegate Gwendolyn Gooditis, District 10• Vice Chair – Senator John Edwards, District 21• Delegate Chris Hurst, District 12• Delegate Sam Rasoul, District 11• Delegate Tony Wilt, District 26• Senator Creigh Deeds, District 25 • Senator Todd Pillion, District 40• Chair Frank Friedman, Central Shenandoah PDC• Chair Bradley Grose, Roanoke Valley/Alleghany PDC• Chair Michael Maslaney, New River Valley PDC• Chair Dennis Morris, Northern Shenandoah PDC• Chair Willie Green, Mount Rogers PDC• Ray Smoot, Jr., Salem District CTB Member• Jerry Stinson, Bristol District CTB Member• Mark Merrill, Staunton District CTB Member

Ex Officio• Stephen Brich, VDOT Commissioner• Jennifer Mitchell, DRPT Director

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Program Funding

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In 2019, the General Assembly adopted legislation creating the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund. Revenues supporting the fund and improvements were identified from the following sources:

Regional Fuels TaxInterstate Operations

and Enhancement Program*

*I-81 receives a percentage of the Interstate Operations and Enhancement

Program based on the ratio of vehicle miles traveled by Class 6 and higher

vehicles.More information about funding resources

is available in the April 2021 I-81 CIP Financial Update.

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Schedule

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The entire program is anticipated to last until at least 2030, with projects completed at various times. Timing related to specific projects can be found on the website via the interactive map or the planned improvements, work underway, and work completed pages.

Visit the website: Improve81.org

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program 22

• Continue Design of Capital Improvement Projects• Hold Public Hearings for upcoming construction projects• Complete Construction of projects currently under construction:

• Exit 17• Exit 47• Exit 84• Exit 137 – Exit 141 (2 projects)• Exit 291• Exit 296• Exit 304

• Begin Arterial Improvements (signal and minor geometric improvements)• Complete Digital Message Sign Project (October 2021)

Next Steps

I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

Contacts

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Communications ContactsI-81 CIP Communications SpecialistKenneth Slack | 540-414-5670ken.slack@vdot.virginia.gov

Bristol District: Michelle Earl | 276-696-3283michelle.earl@vdot.virginia.gov

Salem District: Jason Bond | 540-387-5493jason.bond@vdot.virginia.gov

Staunton District:Sandy Myers | 540-332-9201sandy.myers@vdot.virginia.gov

Program TeamProgram Delivery Director Dave Covington | 540-487-6943dave.covington@vdot.virginia.gov